Hampton is 4-1 with a 1.83 ERA, which is second in the National League behind Roger Clemens (1.30).

He lowered that somewhat Tuesday, going four scoreless innings against Washington. Then, Cox pulled Hampton, who was making his first start since he injured the arm May 14 in Los Angeles.

If Hampton is scratched Sunday, Cox would consider either pitching John Smoltz on three days' rest or calling up a starter from the minors, he said. A minor-leaguer - probably Seth Greisinger - is on "standby."

The call-up would be most likely since pitching Smoltz on short rest wouldn't solve the rest of the rotation's rest schedule. The Braves don't have an off day until Thursday.

Stars still ailing

Shortstop Rafael Furcal sat out of his third consecutive game Thursday, taking another day to rest his sore right shoulder.

Cox said he expects Furcal to return to the lineup today. The shoulder hurts worst, he said, when he bats left-handed against right-handed pitchers.

The Pirates' starters the next two days, Mark Redman and Oliver Perez, are left-handed, thus helping him.

Wilson Betemit, who went 4-for-5 with three walks the past two days, again filled in for Furcal.

Third baseman Chipper Jones nearly had to sit out of the opening game in Pittsburgh because of another little nick of an injury.

Jones, who's struggled on the current road trip, going 1-for-17 entering Friday, bruised his heel beating out a potential double play Thursday in Washington.

Peter Orr started at second base to give Marcus Giles a night off, but Giles said he's not hurt or anything. It's the first time all year that Furcal and Giles haven't played in the same game.

This and that

Kyle Davies (2-1, 1.15 ERA) will make his fourth start, third on the road, this afternoon. The 21-year-old will go against Redman (3-4, 3.14). ... Matt Childers and Frank Brooks, who were up with the Braves in May, both cleared waivers and are back with Class AAA Richmond. ... Friday, Cox made out his 43rd different lineup in the Braves' 54 games.